10+1 Tips For Amsterdam
1. Eurostar
From London to Amsterdam
Make sure to book your tickets in advance for the best possible pricing and seating options. (Link below)
All Eurostar trips leave from London's San Pancras International. This is where you'll go through passport control so you MUST arrive 90 minutes before your departure time. (It gets busy so don't risk this.) The great thing about going through passport control in London is that as soon as you arrive in Amsterdam you walk off the train, out of the station and into the heart of the city within minutes.
Here is the link to book direct with Eurostar: https://www.eurostar.com/us-en
Click here to book directly with Eurostar.
2. Stay in the center of the city.
We loved the Kimpton de Witt
As soon as I walked out of Amsterdam's Centraal Station, yes the extra "a" is how it's spelled, I was mesmerized. The canals, bike riders and historic buildings were exactly as I had imagined.
Staying right in the center of the city gave us a great launching point for walking to our tours and sites we visited.
I HIGHLY recommend staying at the Kimpton de Witt as the service was exceptional, rooms were spacious, breakfast buffet was plentiful and free beer/wine during happy hour!
Here is the link to book directly with Kimpton de Witt hotel.
3. Be smarter than me, don't ride a bike.
Unless you REALLY enjoy riding a bike and are good at it.
So, I chose a bike ride that claimed it was in the country outside of Amsterdam. What I didn't realize (and wasn't specified) is that you pick up your bike IN the city and then ride out to the country....for more than 25Km!! Not an issue for those who are proficient on bikes, but for me who doesn't enjoy a bike ride it was torture. I cried. I struggled, I had several near-collisions, but I eventually made it to the end.
Sound like a good time?
Well to everyone else on the tour it was.
I'll admit the countryside was breathtaking and overall the experience was great, so I do recommend to those with an adventurous spirit!
Here is the link to Mike's Bike Tours
4. This city is VERY walkable.
You won't need a car...or a bike.
We stayed smack dab in the center within walking distance of the Central train station and found this a great starting point for most of our adventures.
In fact, we found that when we'd type a location into our GPS it was almost always faster to walk than to take a car. One of these reasons is the amazing walkways, alleys and paths throughout the city which allows you to avoid congested traffic routes. As you wander you can explore unique shops, stop for a coffee and slice of their famous apple pie or stumble upon a historic sites.
5. Take a canal tour.
It may be "touristy" but you're a tourist after all!
This is a fantastic way to learn more about this city as most of the guides are well versed in the history and highlights about Dutch culture,
There are many types of canal tours and whether you opt for one during the day or night you won't be disappointed with the unique perspective seeing Amsterdam from the water gives you,
Lastly, we opted for a tour that included beer/wine along the a plate of cheese and Dutch snacks. Overall, we were very happy with our choice!
Find your tour
6. Book the Anne Frank house immediately.
Even then, you may not get tickets.
If a visit to the significant Anne Frank house is a must-see on your agenda then I suggest you book immediately.
Tickets are only available on the website. Every Tuesday at 10:00 all tickets become available for a visit six weeks later. (This is directly from the website.)
If you're unlucky in getting tickets, don't fret, There are an abundance of tours available that are wonderful. We booked our tour through Get Your Guide and had a great experience with a knowledgable guide, In fact, whether you go to the museum or not, I highly recommend doing an Anne Frank walking tour.
Here is the website to book directly with the Anne Frank house.
Best of luck!!
7. Book a walking tour.
The possibilities are endless!
Whether it's a walking tour of the life of the Frank family, a WWII tour, a foodie tour or even a tour of the famous Red Light District you have an abundance of options.
As I said, we took an Anne Frank tour which I highly recommend and the infamous bike tour.
During my research I considered other tours but we were limited on time so I opted for those two.
There's something about strolling around a new city and learning about little things that seem to stick with you after a trip.
Get Your Guide has many options. Read the reviews and book in advance!
8. The Red Light District...meh.
To each their own.
We have a friend that told us over and over to not miss the Red Light District.
To be honest, we just weren't interested. (Also, no interest in the coffee shops too.)
Why?
Simply a personal preference. We lived in Las Vegas for many years and the allure of scantily clad sexy people just isn't a draw for us. Been there, done that. Not to mention marijuana is legal in several U.S. states and I prefer a cocktail or two to get a buzz over a joint any day.
We did walk past it one night after dinner and I will say, the red lanterns are quite mysterious and captivating.
Again. to each their own and no judgement whatsoever if this is your thing,
9. Try Indonesian food.
Deelish!
We had some great meals in Amsterdam. Our first meal was a lovely dinner at a northern Italian restaurant.
We tried Dutch classics such as stroopwafel, cheeses, raw herring marinated, apple pie and bitterballen.
Our favorite meal was at a lovely Indonesian restaurant called Restaurant Blauw. We opted for a lovely rice table, "rijsttafel"...don't try and pronounce it. Just say, "rice table". Restaurant Blauw also has vegetarian and vegan options available as well.
Must make a reservation in advance.
Here's the link to their website:
10. Get out to the countryside.
Reminiscent of European storybooks!
I'm not sure when my next trip to The Netherlands will be, but on my next trip I plan on exploring more of the stunning Dutch countryside.
Yes, we'll likely rent a car and head directly out of town as we prefer to explore on our own, taking our time to immerse in the culture.
If driving isn't appealing to you. Don't worry, there are plenty of bus (coach) tours available. Again, Get Your Guide is a great place to start your research.
11. Keep your head on a swivel.
It's always a smart idea to be aware of your surroundings.
First, and foremost, we felt incredibly safe during our time in Amsterdam. We're seasoned travelers and although we didn't encounter anyone or anything suspicious it's always a good reminder to be aware of your surroundings.
There were some occasions where we did encounter very crowded spaces which are a goldmine to pickpockets. So, be mindful of where your bag, wallet and valuables are at all times.
That being said, I think it's important to note that although Amsterdam is a very walkable city, it is also an incredibly busy city. Remembering this is where people work, go to the doctor, run their errands and take their children to school just like we do back home. Oftentimes they may be in a hurry and it's on us to be aware of where we're walking. Be mindful of the trolleys, cars, buses and bike lanes which can be busiest of them all. As I've said, many of the bike riders can get aggressive and stepping in front of one going at a fast speed can get you hurt.
This is nothing to stress about, just a reminder to be aware, give yourself plenty of time to get to where you need to go and make your way off the beaten path when you feel compelled to.
Enjoy!
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